Revise NCO creed?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 19:40:58 -0400

Should the NCO creed be revised? Or should the NCO creed to be taught, learned, and taken to heart by the NCO corps?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2014 7:52 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 07:52:12 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member, I was an NCO for a few years before going Warrant, so I'll give you my opinion on this one as well. I think the answer is the latter - have the creed be taught, learned, and taken to heart.

I've seen some great examples of just that happening in some units: The NCOs in those units would recite the creed at all hands meetings and other unit get-togethers. At other units, though, I have not seen much attention given to the NCO creed.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Oct 1 at 2014 6:18 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 18:18:56 -0400

As noted on the Officer Creed post, the AF did away all creeds except the Airman's Creed.

We still use the NCO Charge at promotion ceremonies.

" You are charged with ensuring that personnel and resources under your control are effectively used.

You are charged with remaining alert to detecting adverse morale trends and initiating corrective action within your control, providing appropriate feedback to superiors.

You are charged with maintaining the highest level of communication and rapport with subordinates, remaining attuned to their needs, being ever mindful that the key is empathy, not apathy.

You are charged with actively encouraging and motivating both on and off-duty involvement in unit and base activities by leading the way.

You are charged with ensuring that people are treated fairly by all agencies and activities, both on and off base, and initiating corrective action in any instance which violates this principle.

You are charged with always wearing the uniform properly and ensuring compliance from subordinates.

You are charged with a personal responsibility to take advantage of on and off-duty educational programs which will enhance your professional development in preparation to assume increased leadership responsibilities in your quest to attain higher NCO grades.

You are charged at all times with presenting an image of competence, integrity, and pride -- the image of a professional noncommissioned officer."

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 2 at 2014 7:35 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 07:35:48 -0400

I see no reason to revise it, and I also see no reason for 'memorizing' it either (at that is from someone who previously taught ANCOC where it was a requirement). What is important is that NCOs LEARN, UNDERSTAND, AND ACT according to it, which is much different that just memorizing the words.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 2 at 2014 7:52 AM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 07:52:54 -0400

I don't see any reason to revise it, but you do have me wondering, LTC Private RallyPoint Member, did you have particular revision (or set of them) in mind?

As mentioned by you and others, memorizing it is nice, but learning and living it are the important part.

Response by LTC Mark Gavula made Oct 2 at 2014 8:33 AM

LTC Mark Gavula — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 08:33:35 -0400

I don't think the NCO creed needs to be revised. By your question, I am assuming you think or have some doubts about the NCO Corp as a whole, or an NCO did not perform to your expectations. I have to make a couple of points. First, I believe many of today's NCOs are very technically and tactically proficient, however, I believe they were promoted very early in their careers to SSG, SFC and 1SG.

From 2004 to the time I retired, many 19D SSGs were promoted to SFC with an average TIS of eight or nine years because the Army requirements for 19Ds increased tremendously. Yes, I believe they were very technically and tactically proficient. However, they lacked the military maturity to deal with the leadership, personal problems, training the platoon leader, the ability to coach, train and mentor, etc. When I was a platoon leader I had two PSGs, both with 15+ years TIS. SFC Wallace, my first PSG, knew when to let me take enough rope to hang myself and when the rope was about to tighten around my neck he would a activate his contingency plan to pull me out of a jam with the Troop Commander. My CSM used to state, the reason why the SFC (in a perfect world) is the first NCO rank teamed with an officer at the platoon level is because he/she is supposed to possess the military maturity to coach, teach and mentor that lieutenant. I think this is missing in today's NCO Corps. I believe, we are seeing the 2d and 3d level effects of this today in units because of early promotions a decade ago.

I read some of the discussions blaming the lack of discipline on the ACU, not having black boots to shine, BDUs to press, not having barracks with CQs, etc. It is the lack of this military maturity among the NCO Corps. The lack of leadership know how and intuitiveness. So it is my estimation we have two generations of NCOs that may have been affected by this. I am sure there are other issues such as officers providing too much management, lack of trust in subordinates, officers and NCOs afraid to make the tough right decision over the easy wrong, no decisions etc. I read in a discussion that a CSM said, there is no NCO's business, it is leader's business. I would really like to know what that means. I believe the NCO creed states that no officer will do my job for me.

Finally, the NCO Creed is just words and anyone can recite it. However, translating it into action is where the rubber meets the road.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 9:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:26:28 -0400

There is no need for the NCO Creed to be revised. The things it states are all things that effective leaders should take to heart. Anyone can memorize 3 paragraphs, but it takes an NCO to learn the creed and live by it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 10:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 10:40:53 -0400

If they could be more like this creed it would be a huge step forward.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 11:14 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 11:14:38 -0400

I don't think that it should be revised. I do however think that there are quite a few NCOs who need to understand what the NCO creed means, and that they are just some words to memorize. If is what we do as NCOs, and who we are. The words define us, and make us into leaders.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 2 at 2014 11:17 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 11:17:45 -0400

I think if officers were following the Officers Creed, this would be a non-issue...of course all these type of issues start at the very top and trickle down?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 12:27 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 12:27:01 -0400

No need to revise. I utilize the creed in professional development. Break it down and have a discussion about each section. Ask for feedback on examples of how NCOs should work, live and act in parallel with the words of the creed.

Response by MSG Darrin Smith made Jul 7 at 2015 7:42 PM

MSG Darrin Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 19:42:08 -0400

Very interesting comments...I am looking for honest and unadulterated feedback on the creed and its current perceptions. I have started a blog on a personal webpage so please if you have time I would love to get your feedback on this or any other topic currently on the blog. http://www.personalmilitarygrowth.com/2015/07/07/decoding-the-nco-creed/
There is a difference between an open conversation pertaining to issues and complaining, please know the difference before you comment. Thanks in advance, I look forward to your comments.

Response by MSG Darrin Smith made Jul 7 at 2015 7:44 PM

MSG Darrin Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 19:44:40 -0400

Hey Brian
I would like your feedback on this topic, http://www.personalmilitarygrowth.com/2015/07/07/decoding-the-nco-creed/ thanks.

Response by MSG Darrin Smith made Jul 7 at 2015 8:15 PM

MSG Darrin Smith — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 20:15:38 -0400

Asking if the creed should be revised is much like asking to revise the Declaration of Independence. Though the Declaration of Independence may be difficult to read and understanding most of it may require comprehensive research however it is still the Declaration of Independence.

I know you all are busy however if you have time I would like your insight on a topic similar to this one http://wp.me/p6pE1q-3n. Thanks in advance and I look forward to your comments

Response by 1SG Todd Sullivan made Jul 7 at 2015 8:17 PM

1SG Todd Sullivan — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 20:17:54 -0400

TEACH IT!!!! and bring back field craft!!